Short-hand machine



(No Model.) 1 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. M. CARPENTER.

SHORT HAND MACHINE.

No. 453,233. Patented June 2, 1891.

1? h Inventor:

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\ W. M. CARPENTER. I

SHORT HAND MACHINE. No. 453,233. Patented June 2,1891.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

W. M. CARPENTER.

- SHORT HAND VMAGEINE.

No. 453,233. Patented June 2, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT EETcE.

ILE-UR MARVIN CARPENTER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SHORT-HAND MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 453,233, dated June 2,1891.

Application filed July 30, 1834. Serial No. 139,196. (No model.)

To aZZ whom iv may concern:

Be it known that I, WILBUR MARVIN (JAR- PENTER, of St. Louis, Missouri,have made a new and useful Improvement in Short-Hand Machines, of whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference beinghad to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, inwhich- Figure 1 is a plan of a machine having the improvement; Fig. 2, avertical longitudinal section showing one of the keys depressed; Fig. 3,a similar section, the key being elevated; Fig. at, the impression madeby all the keys when simultaneously depressed; Fig. 5, the rear endelevation of the machine; Fig. 6, an elevation similar to that of Fig. 5but showing the inking-ribbon device shifted to wind the ribbon in theopposite direction; Fig. 7, a plan, upon an enlarged scale, of the rearend of the machine; Fig. 8,a plan of the marker-guide closed; Fig. 9, aplan of the marker-guide opened; Fig. 10, a side elevation of the rearend of one of the groups of keys, the stop, the spacer-bar, and theinkingribbon shifter being in section; Fig. 11, aview in perspectiveshowing the rear end of one of the sets of keys; and Fig. 12 is a planshowing how the spacer-bar is attached to the rear end of the machine.

The same letters of reference denote the same parts.

The object of this invention is to print or write with great rapidityupon a strip of paper phonographic characters representing articulatesounds and combinations of sounds, syllables, words, 850., and by a newand peculiar arrangement and combination of the keys and markers toenable the operator to form or print several different characters by onestroke or movement of the hand orhands.

The improvement is carried out by means of three similar sets of keys,the keys of each set being so constructed and grouped that one, two, orthree of them can be struck with a single finger and all of them withtwo fingers, and the several sets of keys being so grouped that anythree combinations of keys in the three sets, respectively, can bestruck simultaneously and with six lingersthat is, there is a set ofkeys at each side of a central set, and the set of keys at the right canbe operated by any two or more fingers of the right hand, the set ofkeys at the left by any two or more fingers of the left hand, and themiddle set can be operated by the thumbs and forefingers of both hands.The keys in each set are provided, respectively, with finger-plates,andthe finger-plates are so relatively arranged and are in suchproximity to each other that any adjoining two or three of them can besimultaneously pressed with a single finger. To this end there is acentral finger-plate surrounded by a group of four finger-plates, andthis group in turn is surro infded by a single finger-plate. The centrallager-plate can be operated by itself by pressing the finger upon it, sothat it shall not bear upon any of the marginal finger-plates, and anyone of the outlying finger-plates in the set can be similarly separatelyoperated; but when it is desired to operate two keys in the setsimultaneously the finger is adjusted to bear upon the abutting edges ofthe finger-plates of those two keys, and when three keys are to be movedat the same time the finger is adjusted to bear upon the abutting edgesof the finger-plates of those three keys. The central finger-plate ineach set can thus and withasingle finger be struck in connection withanyone of the four fingerplates which jointly immediately surround thecentral finger-plate, and any adjoining two of the four finger-plateswhich jointly surround the central finger-plate can be struck inconnection with the central finger-plate or in connection with theoutermost finger-plate of the set. Thus with two fingers all thefinger-plates of a set of the keys can be struck and a simple orcomposite symbol, mark, or character made, and with six fingers the entire key-board of eighteen keys is commanded, and two or three simpleorcomposite symbols, marks, or characters can be made.

A complemental feature of the improvement is providing the keys withmarkers and relatively constructing and arranging the keys and markersso that two or more keys of a set of keys can be operated vto produce acomposite symbol, letter, character, or mark, and

so that two or more keys in each set of keys can be operated to producein line with each other or in juxtaposition to each other two or moreseparate symbols, letters, characters, or marks.

Minor features of the improvement are the mode of constructing themarker-guide and the device for shifting the inking-ribbon.

A B C, Fig. 1, represent the three sets of keys, the set A having thekeys OLCt' a a a a the set E having the keys I) b b b 11 b and the set 0having the keys 0 c c c c 0 D E F represent the three sets offingerplates respectively belonging to the three sets of keys, the set Dbeing made up of the central finger-plate d, the four finger-plates 61'(Z d d, which jointly surround the finger-plate d, and the outermostfinger-plate (1 which extends around the four finger-plates d d (1 (1the set E being similarly composed of the finger-plates e c e e e e andthe set F being similarly composed of the finger-plates ff f The variouskeys are adapted to be vibrated, for this purpose being pivoted at G,Figs. 2 and 3, and made to bear upon the elastic bearing H, which actsto restore the keys af ter being depressed. lVhen buta single key is tobe depressedsay the key a the finger is applied only to the finger-plate(I belonging to that key. When two keys-say the keys a a the finger isapplied to the fin gerplates (1 d", and when three keys-say the keys ata, (L -the finger is applied to the.finger-plates d d (Z It is apparentthat when but one finger-plate is to be moved the finger can be appliedto any part of it; but when two finger-platessay the finger-plates d (1are to be moved by a single finger the finger must be applied so as tobear upon both finger-plates, and this obviously requires the finger tobe applied to the abutting edges of those finger-plates-that is, at m,Fig. 1-and when three finger-platessay finger-plates l (1 d -are to bemoved the finger must be applied where those three finger-plates meetthat is, at the point 00, Fig. 1. the central finger-plate (Z can bestruck in combination with any one or with any adjoining two of the fourfinger-plates (1 (Z (Z d". The outermost finger-plate d can also bestruck in combination with any one or with any adjoining two of thefinger-plates d (l (1 d for the finger can be applied to thefinger-plate d at any point thereon. It results from this thatsixty-three single and composite symbols can be produced with the sixkeys a a a a a a A similar result is obtained with the B and with the 0set of keys. The keys are each provided with a device termed a marker,by mea us of which the movement of the key is caused to register a markupon any suitable surface, such as a ribbon of paper. These markers arerepresented at I, Figs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, and 11. The markerconsistssubstantially of an arm 1', which projects from the key,

and is shaped to form or is provided with a type i with which the markis made. The working of the keys and fin ger-platesin the mannerdescribed does not necessitate the adoption of particular marks. Anydesirable marks may be assigned to the keys a a, &c., respectively;

As is seen,

but. to carry out the improvement the keys and markers are so combinedand constructed as to enable the several markers belonging to a set a a,&c., of keys to not only severally register single marks, but also incombination to register composite marks-that is, each marker can be usedby itself or in combination with any other marker of the set. The marksI prefer are shown in Fig. 4. The set is composed of four straight linesJ J J J and two curved lines J J These marks are made, let it beassumed, by the keys at a a a a a respectively. The markers I arerelatively adjusted, substantially as shown in Fig. 11, to cause themarks J J, &c., to be inclined, relatively arranged, and grouped, asshown in Fig. 4. hen all the keys a a, 850., are struck simultaneously,all the marks J J, &c., appear as in the middle third portion of Fig. 4.lVhen but a portion of the keys-say the keys a aare struck, only themarks J J appear. The marks, however, always appear in the same relativeposition, whether two, three, or more keys of the set are struck.Therefore any one of the marks J J, &c., can be combined with any otheror others of the set to form a composite mark. These composite marks,like the simple marks, can represent letters, &c., and by means of thesimple and composite marks thus produced some sixty-three differentletters, &c., in practice can be represented. The 13 set of keys can besimilarly operated to produce a similar set of marks, which arerepresented in the lower third portion of Fig. i, and the marks producedby the C set of keys are represented in the upper third portion of Fig.4.. By means of the three sets of marks three different letters, &c.,can be produced simultaneously by the machine and in line with eachother.

K represents what may be termed the marker-guide. This guide isperforated vertically to admit the arms i of the markers. Thepeculiarity of the guide is making it in parts 70' k 70 Figs. 8 and 9,which can be closed together, as in Fig. 8, or opened apart, as in Fig.9. The object of this is to enable the markers to be readily reached andadjusted. hen the guide is to be used, it is closed, as in Fig.8, andwhen the markers are to be adjusted the guide is opened, as in Fig. 9.The parts k are preferably hinged together at 70*, and the bolt 70 whenthe parts are closed, secures their free ends together. The marks areregistered on a paper ribbon L, Figs. 5 and G. The mechanism for holdingand moving this ribbon is of the ordinary character, the keys at a, &c.,in their downward movement depressing the forward end m of thespacing-lever M, and this lever in turn actuating, by means of the hookN and ratchet N, the shaft N of the drum N said drum turning thetension-roll (not lettered) immediately below by friction and serving tofeed out the paper ribbon, (not shown, as it is of common form,) whichis to pass between these as it is unwound from the delivery-roll, whichis shown at the upper right-hand corner of Fig. 1. An inking-ribbonO,Fig's.5 and 6,extends'above the paper ribbon, being carried around thedrums 0', Figs. 1, 5, 6, and '7. The rolls are actuated by hooks 0 0attached to the spacer-bar M and engaging with the ratchets 0 0 on thedrums 0 0, respectively-that is, (and this is the peculiarity of thisportion of the machine,) the hooks 0 0 are adapted to be put alternatelyinto engagement with the ratchets 0 .0 as

follows:

P represents what maybe termed the inking-ribbon spool-pawl shifter. Itis in the form of a slide and adapted to be slipped to and fro a shortdistance transversely, the space-bar M being pivoted or adapted to havea slight shifting movement sidewise in the machine beneath the keys a a,&c. The shifter by some suitable means is in engagement with thespacer-bar, to which the hooks o o are attached. \Vhen thisinking-ribbon spool-pawl shifter is shifted one way in the machine, thehook 0 is brought into engagement with the ratchet 0 and the other hook0 is disengaged from its ratchet 0 and the inking ribbon is movedaccordingly; but

when the pawl-shifter is shifted in the opposite direction the hook 0 isdisengaged from its ratchet and the book 0 is engaged with its ratchet,and the inking-ribbon now moves in the reverse direction.

Q represents'a vertically-adjustable stop to limit the upward vibrationof the keys. The outermost finger-plate in each set of fingerplates isliable to be racked upon its key when pressed upon one side. To bettersustain it, therefore, this finger-plate is attached to the arms R R,which are pivoted at r r and move similarly to the keys a a, 850.

S represents the spacer-key. It is constructed and operated in theordinary manner. It is supported on the arms R R.

The arms R R are not in any way fastened to the spacer-bar M, but merelyrest upon it, and they do not interferewith the transverse movement ofthe spacer-bar. To provide for the shifting movement of the spacer-bar,its ends are pivoted to the frame of the machine at its rear end asfollows: Two standards 1% m are attached to the base of the machine, andthe ends of the spacer-bar are let into slots at the top of thestandards. The slots are wide enough to allow the spacer-bar sufficientplay from side to side to bring the spool-pawls into engagement with theratchets alternately. The spacer-bar ends are held in the slots by pinsand so that the spacer-bar can be shifted laterally. The elasticbearings, which serve to restore the spacer-bar to its originalposition, are of rubber or similar material, and when the shifter P ispushed or pulled the spacer-bar is shifted laterally over the base ofthe machine for the purpose described. I desire to be understood as notconfining myself to this particular method of moving the inking-ribbonand shifting the ribbon-spool pawls, this being merely an incidentalpart of the machine, and any other suitable apparatus similar to what isin common use may be employed in the place of the apparatus hereindescribed. The spacer-bar, for instance, may be of spring-steel, wherebyit would have sufficient play without requiring to be moved to and froin the standard-slots.

Among other special features of the present machine are the following:The manual or key board is placed on the keys between the pivots uponwhich they turn and the free or marker ends of the keys. The keystherefore strike downward and print the characters upon the uppersurface of the paper ribbon, which, as may be seen, moves from right toleft in front of the operator, and the writing may therefore be read asthe paper ribbon moves out from under the inking-ribbon. The charactersformed also have a peculiar arrangement, both in respect to each otherand with reference to the key-board,whe reby the several characters maybe more easily learned than any others in use, and when learned theymaybe more easily selected to form combinations, because the verticalmark corresponds to the central finger-plate d, the horizontal mark tothe exterior plate, and the oblique marks to the four plates surroundingthe central plate. The group of markers therefore is similar to thegroup of finger-plates, and, if necessary, may correspond further byplacing the horizontal mark entirely above or below the oblique marks,the only objection to this arrangement being that it would be necessaryto widen the paper ribbon.

I am aware that groups of arbitrary marks arranged to representcharacters when used singly or in combination are commonly employed instenographic machines. Therefore no more is claimed in the presentinstance than the particular form and arrangement herein shown.

I claim 1. The combination, in a writing-machine and with thecorresponding keys and markers, of the central finger-plate d, thefingerplates 01' d d d, jointly surrounding the central finger-plate,and the finger-plate d eX- tending around the finger-plates d d d (1,substantially as described;

2. The marker-guide made in parts 7t, &c., to open, as described, incombination with the marker-arms, as described.

3. In a writing-machine, a group of fingerplates consisting of anencircling finger-plate d and a series of finger-plates inclosedthereby, adapted to be operated separately or in conjunction with theencircling plate, the said plate 01 being continuous, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a key-board of a writing or other machine, the combination of acentral fingerplate, as d, a series of finger-plates (1 d &c., arrangedjointly around and abutting on the central plate and on each other, andan exterior surrounding plate, as (F, so that any plate (1 (1 850., ofthe series or any two adjacent ones may be depressed with a singlefinger jointly with either the exterior plate or the central plate,substantially as described.

5. In a stenographie Writing or other machine, the set of markerscomposing the group I, said set consisting of four straight and twocurved type-faces or markers, arranged and adapted, as herein shown, toregister distinct characters when used singly or in combination, throughthe means described and shown, two of said straight markers beingarranged at right angles, with one resting upon the center of the other,and the remaining four markers being arranged obliquely about and nearto those at right angles, substantially as shown in Figs. 4 and 11.

VVILBUR MARVIN CARPENTER.

Witnesses:

O. D. MOODY, C. '1. 131mm.

